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Old 01-01-2015, 02:50 PM
glend (Glen)
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glend is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,121
Hi Edison, I went through this last year. I run a ASI130MM as my guide camera sitting on a ZWO 60mm guidescope mounted on a Skywatcher guidescope mount. I tried using PHD2 initially because it is regarded as very easy to use, but it does not work well with high frame rate video camera's like the ASIs (can't comment on your other camera choices). After weeks of frustration trying to get PHD2 to work reliably (it just kept dropping out), I moved to Metaguide and can say it has been fantastic. Metaguide is designed for high frame rate video cameras and is very easy to setup and adjust, in fact it worked right away when I started it the first time. It will configure itself for the ASI camera if you select it. Metaguide also is much quicker to calibrate on stars than PHD2 (in my experience). I haven't tried planetary imaging with my guide camera. As you would remember I use a Canon 450D as my imaging camera. I have never had a Metaguide drop out once it is set up and running and tracking a star (assuming a cloud doesn't get in the way), and that includes long all night runs, (obviously meridian flips do interrupt things).
I am sure you will hear from many PHD2 people signing it's praises but for me it was a pain to setup and get to stay on a star.

PS I highly recommend the Skywatcher guidescope mount, as it makes aiming the guidescope so much easier than the common ring adjusters on many guidescopes (my guidescope/camera would sometimes slide down the rings when adjusting the aim with the ring screws, and directionally three rings are not very intuitive). The Skywatcher guidescope mount is not light, it does add some weight but is very well made and provides good X and Y axis control. I started out with an Orion 50mm guidescope (the one without the focuser) but found it a pain to use compared to the ZWO guidescope which does focus. So get a guidescope that can focus, as opposed to the parafocal ring solution, its easier imho.

Your welcome to see my setup working at the next Bretti outing.

I bought the ZWo guidescope from Aliexpress (ZWO has a store on there) and they ship direct from China to your door pretty quickly compared to US sources). Here is an ad for a ZWO guidescope kit from a US supplier:
http://www.highpointscientific.com/z...cope-kit-60280

Last edited by glend; 01-01-2015 at 03:11 PM.
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